Start investigating the different interest groups that have an interest in the San Joaquin River (wildlife and water).Use the articles provided to learn more about each interest groups perspective. This research will help you form your interview questions for the profesionals from the various interest groups.
Read, skim, and walk through the articles that you have been given.
Interest Groups
Who are they or who do they represent?
Position: What do they think should happen with the river? Feeling, Beliefs, Ideas, Concerns
Facts/Statistics: What facts or stats did you find in the articles to give to support their argument?
People that use the river/lake for recreation
Residents that live near the river and use the Eaton Nature Trail
Improve the existing trail so that it actually follows the river. Provide more people with a way to access the river.
There are only two access point for the public. This limits the amount of people that are exposed to the river.
Friant Water Users Authority
Farmers
Some farmers want to restore the river to bring back the fish. They believe that there could be a balance between water for farmers and fish. Other farmers worry that water used for the river restoration will take away from their crops and affect business. "Restoring the salmon run in the river is a fools errand".
Farmers that support restoration claim that Millerton Lake would hold enough water for both Salmon and farmers to exist. Some farmers say restoration efforts would be in vain because the water temperature is to warm for the salmon.
NRDC
Natural Resources Defense Council
A group that wants to restore the river.
They aimed to restore some flows by 2009. Also they had an ambitious goal of restoring salmon by 2013 to a river that hasn't seen them for decades.
For 2 years, Dianne Feinstein has been trying to pass legislation to implement the river-restoration package. It has been difficult partly because tribal elders continue to feud.
Department of Fish and Game
Department of Fish and Game
maintains native fish, wildlife, plant species, & natural communities for intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits to people
Environmentalists
People who represent the environment.
Believe the river should be restored to its natural beauty and state. They believe people should leave the river alone.
Friant Dam is illegal and should not be allowed to stand.
A group that wants to restore the river.
maintains native fish, wildlife, plant species, & natural communities for intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits to people